Sivasagar, Oct 17: History of Durga Puja in Sivasagar, erstwhile Rangpur, is nearly three centuries old. Durga Puja was first observed at Bhatiapar during the reign of Swargadeo Pratap Singha. Later, when the royal family began celebrating the puja with great pomp and gaiety, it spread to other places.
The second queen consort of Ahom King Siva Singha initiated Durga puja festival in Kalanchuppar Gohaigaon in the year 1734 following excavation of the massive men-made lake now famous as Sivasagar Pukhuri. The Durga puja celebrated in historic Devi-doul is the oldest that has been continuing from the Ahom era for nearly three centuries.
The Sivasagar Doul Development Committee has nearly completed preparations for the 293rd Durga Puja in Devi-doul, which has been started from Friday. The earthen idol of the goddess Durga Devi is set up besides the permanent idol inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Devi-doul, considered to be very sacred and auspicious by the devotees of goddess Durga.
In and around Sivasagar, it has been a tradition since olden days that the Devi idol should be installed on the podium first in Devi-doul and later would be taken out for immersion in Dikhow river first, and then only other puja committees will perform the immersions of their respective idols.
The Borthakur family entrusted by the Ahom Royal family is still continuing the worshipping tradition in Devi-doul. Mriganka Kashyap Borthakur and Dudu Borthakur of the family are now in charge of the rituals to be performed during the Durga Puja.
As hundreds of devotees from different parts of Upper Assam come to the Devi-doul to offer animals for sacrifices before goddess Durga, the sacrificial site with red iron grills is now ready. The main items offered for sacrifice are goats, ducks and ash gourds (kumura).
The committee offers sacrificed items to different families of the town who were involved in the tradition since the Ahom days. The Doullas of Zenagnikatia, devout Muslims, also receive annual sacrificial goats from the Devi-doul Puja committee every year. Sources say that the Doullas got their titles from the royal family because they used to beat the drums, dhols or nagaras in the temple then.
The Barowari Durga Puja in KPM Chari Ali has entered 93rd year of celebration to be observed with the 18th Autumn Festival. This pandal of the popular venue is being erected to depict the nava rup (nine images) of Devi Durga which is expected to attract massive crowd as usual during Saptami and Navami days. The Rajan Sarma Barua Memorial drawing competition among school children will be held in Puja Mandap on October 18 while Chandipath by Mon Rajguru will be on October 19.
The Bengali Durga Puja that began during the British period near the Railway Station is now observed at Muktinath Chariali. The Durga Puja celebrated in Amolapatty Hindu Dharma Naamghar is also over 140 years old. The committee this year, headed by Arabinda Baruah as president and Ratnamoni Sharma as secretary, is preparing to hold the Puja with traditional gaiety.